Supervisor asks Attorney General for assistance in dealing with racist flyers

Posted:

November 21, 2016

Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith has contacted New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to ask for advice and assistance regarding the ongoing distribution of racist literature in Pittsford.

Smith sent a letter to Schneiderman on Monday (11/21/16), on behalf of himself and the Pittsford Town Board, asking the Attorney General to evaluate the situation and consider what action he may be able to take to help end the distribution of an unwelcome message “that has no place in our town, nor anywhere in our state or nation” according to Smith.

The Town has been working with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to identify the party responsible for the flyers and determine if prosecution or other action might be possible.

An unknown party has been leaving paper slips in Pittsford neighborhoods periodically since September 20, 2016. The leaflets feature a website that supports white supremacy. The featured website includes a solicitation for donations, which may not comply with state licensing and registration requirements. Smith asked Attorney General Schneiderman to consider this.

“As I stated in the letter, this is a matter of deep concern,” Smith said. “For Pittsford residents of all ethnic backgrounds,” he continued, “the message represents at best a personal insult and at worst a tangible threat. It’s a message with no place in our town.”

Town officials will continue to work with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in an effort to identify the person or group responsible for distributing the literature. Residents receiving the racist flyers are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.